Theoretical Application Paper
The objective of this assignment is to increase your understanding of
different theoretical approaches and how they are applied with clients. This is the
individual assignment. The Case Presentations (next page) will be done as a
group. Prepare a 2 – 3 page paper (due same time as Case Presentation; see
dates on syllabus) covering the following areas. Imagine that this is actually a
client that you will be working with, and be as specific and detailed as you can
when you think about applying the approach.
Many of the readings have case examples and should help you with this
assignment.
a) Conceptualization.
Use the broad theoretical perspective to understand this person's
concerns. Be sure to address major ideas and concepts from the theory. That
means the theoretical concepts we have covered in class, as well as specific
concepts of the particular approach you are using. The readings and case
examples will not always discuss theoretical concepts, but you should.
Show how ideas and concepts from the theory apply to this client, and
explain how this client’s concerns would be thought about in this perspective.
Discuss ideas about how the client would need to change, and what would be
changed, and how it would change. Check that your ideas are consistent with
concepts and terminology that are important to the approach.
b) Course of Treatment.
Anticipate and describe the course of treatment in this approach. Again,
make sure you use concepts from the theoretical perspective. Discuss steps or
stages in this approach, what the therapist would be doing at different
steps/stages, and what should be happening with the client as he or she moves
through the process. Discuss goals of treatment – both short-term objectives &
long-term outcomes; strategies, techniques, and the therapeutic relationship.
Describe what you anticipate this client's responses would be to the approach.
Discuss any obstacles you anticipate in applying this approach with this particular
client.
c) Evaluation.
Identify questions you have about the theory or approach, and any
difficulties you had in applying the approach to this client. Consider your own
reactions as well. Are there ideas that differ with your own ideas about change?
How might this approach be difficult for you to learn about or implement?
Discuss your thoughts about the strengths and weaknesses of the
approach with this particular client. How well do you think the approach
addresses the client’s concerns? Do you think the approach will fit the client’s
style?
Group Case Presentations
You will work in groups and prepare 10-15 minute presentations to be
given in class (see dates on syllabus). These will illustrate the application of a
theoretical approach to case material concerning a particular client. Each of you
should have already worked on your individual Theoretical Application Paper for
the approach. Your group should draw on everyone’s individual work to
understand the approach, this client, and how the approach would be used to
understand and work with the client.
The presentation should illustrate basic theoretical concepts and
applications of the approach, help class members conceptualize/understand your
client from this perspective, and experience how the approach would be applied
to your client. Be creative – but professional -- and use any format or
combinations of format in your presentation. Let me know if there are resources
you need and I will provide whatever help I can.
The objective of this assignment is to increase understanding (your own
and the class’s) of the approaches and their application to different clients, and
allow for discussion of the approaches. There will be 4 groups and each will have
their own client, so over the course of the semester we will hear about the
application of 3 approaches to 4 different clients.
Your presentations should cover the following areas. Be as specific and as
detailed as you can.
a) Conceptualization. Use the theoretical perspective to understand the
client’s concerns. Show how ideas and concepts from the theory apply to the
client. Explain how the client’s concerns would be understood in this perspective,
and the ideas about change that emerge from the approach. Check that your
ideas are consistent with concepts and terminology that are important to the
approach.
b) Application of the approach. Illustrate some aspect of the treatment
in your presentation. In the brief time allotted, demonstrate what you can of the
following: course of treatment; steps or stages in this approach, what the
therapist would be doing at different steps/stages, and what should be happening
with the client as he or she moves through the process. Consider goals of
treatment – both short-term objectives & long-term outcomes; strategies,
techniques, and the therapeutic relationship.
c) Evaluation & Discussion. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of
the approach with this particular client. Also discuss what therapists might find
difficult in learning about or implementing this approach. Facilitate discussion
about your client, important aspects of the approach, areas of confusion, or
things about the approach that were hard to understand.
.
Your group will have 10-15 minutes to present and illustrate your ideas
and about 5 minutes for discussion and questions.